Automatic intermitting unit



July 13, 1943. w. BRAUER AUTOMATIC INTERMITTING UNIT Filed Feb. l0, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l July 13, 1943.

W. BRAUER AUTOMATIC INTERMITTING UNIT Filed Feb. 1o, 1941 3 Sheets- Sheet 2 mvENToR Wlikzrwr ATTORNEY July 13, 1943. w. BRQL!ERWNJff/f/ AUTOMATIC 'NTERMITTI-NG UNIT Filed Feb. 1o, 1941 :s sheets-sheet s NVENTOR Wlefzfuer BY 7n 701 c /wy- ArroRNr-:Y

Patented July 13, 1943 UNITED STATES PAT-ENT OFFICE '2;324,132 AU'roivIA'riC 'INTERM'TING UNIT Walter Brauer, Oklahoma' Cityjkla.

Application February 10, 1941, Serial No. 378,234

14 Claims.

This invention relates to the flowing of liquid from wells and more particularly but not by way of limitation to an automatic intermittingl apparatus for controlling'the admission of motive pressure' fluid for raising the liquid out ofthe well.

The limitation placed on the production of oil in most States gave rise to thepracticability of automatic intermitting systems utilizing aA motive pressure gas for lifting or displacing the oil from the well hole. Furthermore, vthe use of fluid actuated pump or gas lift differential valves had givenv little consideration to the formation or sand pressure of the well in that such motive fluid if pressed upon the well sand, formation pressure or the like would have a tendency to drive the Well liquid to be displaced back into the formation. Furthermore, the use of mechanical devices such as springs, bellows and the likefor actuating a differential gas lift valve has given little consideration to thevolume of liquid to be lifted relative to an efficient oil-gas ratio by utilizing the proper amount of gas for displacing a pre-determined volume of oil.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide a means for lifting liquids or ilui'ds from a well which is so operated and `constructed as to prevent placing upon the liquids desired to be lifted or upon well formation or sand, pressure which may induce the fluids to now or recede from the well,

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic intermitting system for flowing wells which consists in packing off the well tubing from the well casing at substantially the standing well liquid level in said casing and introducing a motive fluid into the tubing below the packer and automatically controlling the introduction of the motive fluid by means cooperating with the liquid level and the input of motive fluid.

Another object of this invention is toprovide an automatic intermitting device which will allow volumes of pressure gas to enter the eduction tubing in pre-determined quantities responsive to changes in the liquid level standing in the well. *Y

A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic intermitting apparatus for gas lifting of liquid from a well which reduces the -gasoil ratio and provides a greater eniciency in the use of the motive iluid energy. l

Another object of this invention is to intermittently gas lift oil from wells by introducing -or Yjetting into the oil a motive fluid pressure and 'of'casing 'suspended in a well hole.

controlling'the 'same automatically by a valveoper'ated -and controlled by a float cylinder responsive `to the height ofthe vliquid level standing in `the Well, and the input motive fluid wherein the liquid acts as a'stopper for the cylinder to allow 'the input fluid'to'provide buoyant characteristics to thev float cylinder, causing it to'move vertically for actuating the valve.

A further yobject of this invention is to provide al fluid lifting assembly of an entirely automaticintermitting type'which will be subject in `itspperationto the'height of the column of liquid ymotive uid.

Fig. 1A is a similarV view showing the disposition of the automatic intermitting v alvehunit.

Fig. l1B -isja similar view showing thendisp'ositionof the tubing catcher and the motive fluid outletnozzle. s s s l I Fig. 1C is `a similar view-showing the lowermost sections of Xthe'well tubing and casing.

Fig. 2, is a sectional view taken on 0f Fig. lA-

Fig.; 3 is an. enlarged detail sectional view of one' ofthe check valves. Y,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the intermitting valve unit more in detail.

Fig. 5 is a view taken on lines 57--5 of Fig. lA.

Fig. 6' is a'view'taken on lines 6-6 of Figl 1B.

Referring toFi'gs. '1, 1A, 1B and 1C, 2 is a string A string of tubing`4 'is arrangedfin spacedrelation tothe lines 2 2-2 `casing 2 and extends throughout the length of the 'well'. A string of v'smaller sized pipe or tubing '6`(pre'ferab1y'1/4 inch) 'is disposed in the space 8 z"between 'the tubing '4 and the casing 2. yA pluralityof clamps. il) "are vertically spacedfalong 'cwoupied ty contr l2 having 'an outer protruding or flanged portion I`4 provided with an aperture I6 for receiving an inlet check valve I8 of the ball type, shown in detail in Fig 3.

Below the coupling I2 the sections of tubing 4 are coupled by a collar and apertured nut 2I to which is threaded a valve cage 22 encircling a ball valve 24 cooperating with a seat 26 and adapted to act as a check valve to supply gas or iiuid or as an outlet valve for oil as will be hereinafter set forth. At a position in the well in proximity of the oil sand or oil pool the tubing 4 is provided with a slidable packer unit 28 (Fig. 1A) for packing 01T the supply gas in space 8 from the sand or bottom hole pressure of the Well thus allowing free flow of oil into the Well. The packer comprises a collar 36 threadedly secured to a cylindrical member 32. A packing nut 34 is disposed within the cylinder 32 and is provided with an outer annular flange 36 supporting bevelled packing 38 such as rubber or the like to pack off the casing when the tubing is set as will be hereinafter set forth. The nut 34 has an upper cylindrical portion 39 threaded to a sleeve 49 along which the cylinder 32 is adapted to slide. A key 42 is provided in complementary slots (see Fig. 2) in the member 32 and sleeve 39 to prevent rotation therebetween. From the foregoing it will be apparent that upon setting the tubing the member 32 slides along sleeve 39 so that the tapered portion contacts the tapered portion 31 of the packing 38 to cause radial expansion of the packing against the casing 2. It is to be noted that the small gas inlet tubing 6 (note Figs. 1A and 4) is directed through apertures in the cylinder 32 and packing 38 into threaded connection with a longitudinal port 41 provided in an H-shaped (in cross section) collar 46 threadedly secured to the lower end of the nut 34. As shown in Fig. 1A, the tubing 6 is telescoped at 49 to allow it to slide with cylinder 32.

The collar 46 in addition to providing a connection between the tubing packer unit 28 and the lower sections of tubing is also constructed to contain the automatic intermitting valve unit 50 (shown in detail in Fig. 4) and which will be hereinafter referred to. The tubing sections 4 extend into the well casing below the collar 46 into threaded engagement with a collar 52 (Fig. 1B) which in turn receives a nut 54. The small tubing 6 extends downward from a port 53 in collar 46 and is threaded into a longitudinal port 55 in collar 52, said port 55 in turn communicates with a radial port 58 in nut 54. The tubing 4 is threaded at 60 to nut 54 and extends downwardly therefrom. The lower extension 6I of the small pipe 6 communicates with port 58 and is suspended from this point downward in the interior of the tubing 4.

From Fig. 6 it will be noted that the nut 54 is constructed with substantially semi-circular apertures or ports 62 acting as outlet or up flow ports for the lifted liquid as will be hereinafter set forth. At a predetermined point below the nut 54 the tubing 4 is provided with a tubing catcher unit 64. The tubing catcher provides an annular weighted member 66 having a tapered upper side wall 68 cooperating with a pair of annular tapered slips 18 supported in inoperative position on an annular flange 1I of member 66. The member 66 is in turn supported on a helical spring' 12 disposed around the tubing 4 and having its lower end anchored to a collar 14 xed to the tubing 4. In running the tubing string in the well the slips 'IIJ are spaced from and do not contact the inner periphery of casing 2. However, when it is desired to set the tubing string in the well at a predetermined position in proximity of the oil sand or shot hole, a reciprocation of the tubing causes a simultaneous reciprocation of the resilient spring 12 which effects an upward movement of the member 66 to cause the slips to engage with casing 2 and set the tubing string in the well. It will be apparent that the lowermost end of the small pipe 6 will be disposed at a point in the tubing 4 wherever it is desired to gas lift the oil present in the tubing 4. A nozzle 15 is secured to the end of pipe 6 and is provided with a plurality of jets or apertures 11 (only one of which is shown). It is to be noted that the jet 11 is disposed in an up stream direction to assist the lifting and not direct motive iiuid pressure downwardly against the oil owing into the tubing 4.

The lowermost portion of the tubing 4 (Fig. 1C) is provided with a collar 16 having diametrically opposed outward projections 18 provided with threaded apertures for receiving a valve 82 of the ball type. In the present instance two valves are preferably used. However, it will be understood that any number of apertures 80 and valves may be utilized. The valves 82 act as inlet valves for the oil to be lifted and are identical in structure with the valve I8 controlling the inlet of motive pressure fluid. Referring to Fig. 3 showing the valve in detail, it comprises an external threaded cylinder 83 formed with a small bore 84 and communicating with larger bore 85. A ball 86 is disposed in bore 85 and allows ow of oil or motive fluid in the casing of valve I8 therethrough, but acts as a check valve by seating against one end of the bore 84. A single rib 81 retains the ball in bore 85. The tubing 4 extends from collar 'I6 to a point in the well where it is closed oif by a conventional bullplug 89 threaded in the lower end thereof.

It will be understood that the tubing string is run into a shot hole of a well and the sand or formation pressure will lift the oil through the valves 82 into the interior of the tubing 4. However, in certain Gulf Coast areas the producing strata are not shot to provide a larger shot hole, and in such instances it is then necessary to perforate the casing 2 with a plurality of apertures 96 to allowing communication of the oil from the producing sand with the interior of the tubing 4 and casing 2.

Referring now to the automatic intermitting unit 50 arranged in collar 46 as shown in detail in Fig. 4, the collar has the central body portion 9I provided with a longitudinal bore 92. A cylindrical valve sleeve 93 is fitted (preferably by sweating) in the bore 92 and is maintained in position by a lock nut 94. The sleeve is adapted to slidably receive valve 96 comprising a freely movable shaft with a central bore 98 formed through its longitudinal axis. The uppermost end of the valve bore is plugged by a nut |00 fixed to the valve shaft. The valve extends through the sleeve 93 into threaded communication with a ball joint coupling |02. The bore 98 is of increased diameter at 99 for housing a. small ball check valve |64 anchored therein by a helical spring |06. The lower end of the spring is anchored by an apertured nut |08 threaded in an increased portion of bore 99 in the lower end of valve 96. The collar 46 is provided with a radial bore or port II providing communication between ports 41 and 53. The bore or port I I9 communicates with diametrically opposed ports Il2 provided centrally of the valve sleeve 93. The body of the valve 96 is reduced in diameter at H4 to allow passage of iluid from port '|I0` through the ports I I2 around the valve into port 53 receiving the extension of tubing 6. The cylinder 93 has a small longitudinal port ||6 communicating with port I|0. The port Ii in turn communicates with a small horizontal port ||8 adapted to communicate with a cut away or annular groove portion |20 of the valve shaft 96 when the valve is in inoperative position as will be hereinafter explained. A small radial port |30 extends through one half the diameter of shaft 96 to provide communication between the annular groove |20 and bore 99. With the groove |120v in communication with port I8 inlet gas can flow from 4'| to bore 98 regardless of the angular position of the valve 96.

The lowermost portion of valve 9B has a stop collar I2| xed thereto in order to limit the upstroke of the valve shaft in actual operation and to assure proper alignment of the inlet gas ports as will be hereinafter set forth.

The ball joint or flexible union |02 comprises a flanged nut |22 secured at one end to shaft 99, a-nd with the flange |24 connected to a cylindric'al housing |26 in which is disposed an apertured member |29 having a semi-circularl projection |30 cooperating with a semi-circular recess ISI in the lower face of the nut |22. A spring |32 encircles the member |28 and urges the member |128 into contact with the nut 422. lt will be understood that nut i22 and member 520 are provided with aligned bores or aperfrres |34 to provide communication of the inlet s with an apertured connecting nut itt between the flexible union |02 and a cylindrical float member |29.

The iioat is preferably comprised of Tg inch boiler sheet metal pipe and is preferably (but not limited thereto) 2 inches in diameter by six feet in length. The lowermost portion of the float has longitudinal ribs |42 to keep it in proper alignment with respect to the inner periphery of the tubing 4. It will be apparent that the space |44 between the float |40 and tubing 4 is sufficient to allow passage of motive fluid past the iioat cylinder |40 without creating any upward lift of the iioat |49 as will be hereinafter set forth. Furthermore, the ball coupling |02 with a semi-circular projection 30 and complementary recess ISI assures free movement of the valve shaft 99 regardless of any possible distorted alignment of the float |49. The float |49 is extremely light, but since the internal pressure and that in space |44 are equal there is no danger of crushing the cylindrical float.

From Fig. it will be noted that the collar 49 is provided with semi-circular ports |40 acting as outlets for the lifted fluid upwardly through the eduction string 4. These ports |40 are baffled off from port ||0 by the central body portion 9|. Furthermore, in Fig. lA the collar 49 is provided with a bleeder |48 communicating with ports (not shown) to allow bleeding of any oil as will be hereinafter explained. The sleeve 93 .and nut 94 are provided with aligned blc-feder ports |5.

Operation In operation a pressure motive fluid such as gas or air is supplied from the surface of the well (not shown) into the space 8 between the casing 12 and the tubing 4 from which a portion of it is discharged through valve i8 into the tubing 4 for lifting the oil as will be hereinafter explained. The tube 6 is provided with a plurality of slots |52- to allow` motive fiuid to flow into it and downwardinto-the"portsllI and H9. The back pressure of the producing strata causes the oil to be produced to iiow into the space between the casing 2 and tubing 4, through the valve 89 (Figs. 1B and 1C) upwardly into the interior of tubing 4 until it rises upwardly through port 92 in nut 54 into proximity of the float |40. As long as the oil to be lifted is below the lowermost end of float |40 the valve shaft 96 is in inoperative position in that the nut |00 is abutting the top face of sleeve 93. In this position (not shown) the annular groove |29 is in alignment with the horizontal port ||8 whereby input motive fluid flows through ports 4l, ||0, H6 and H8, groove |20, port |30 into bore 98 with suiiicient pressure to unseat valve |04, into bore 99, o-n through aligned apertures |34 into the interior of float |40. The small dimensions of bores 98 and 9,9 and apertures |34 do not allow for any large volume of gas to pass through the float |40 into co-ntact with the oil standing below the float. Consequently there is no detrimental eect against the back pressure of the well lifting the oil. With the Valve in this position, motive fluid iiowing into the float E40 passes beneath the bottom end thereof, upward through the space |44 and ports |49 on to the top of the well. By way of recapitulation the space |44 is sufficient to allow passage of this small amount of gas without any possibility of lifting the float |40 of the valve shaft 96.

With the oil standing or rising to a point above the bottom end of the float cylinder |40, the float being of light material has no buoyant characteristics and will not float, but will submerge in the oil. However, in this condition the oil acts as a stopper or cork for the open lower end of cyl'- inder |40 so that motive gas directed into the interior of float cylinder |49 is prevented from passing therethrough. In this condition the interior ofiioat |40 provides a limited space or volume for the small amount of gas discharging therein, and with the continued discharge from bore 98 it will be apparent that the density and pressure of the gas will increase sufiiciently to give a buoyant effect to the light weight float cylinder |40 and cause it to float in the oil pool. It will be apparent that with the cylinder allowed to float it will move upwardly in a vertical path to move the valve shaft 96 simultaneously upward to a point Where the port IIO is in alignment with the groove II4, as shown in Fig. 4. The stop collar |2| limits the upward travel of valve 96 to assure proper alignment of these elements. In this position of the valve 90, the motive fluid is directed from ports 4l and ||0 into port 53 and small tubing E downwardly through ports and 58 into the extremely lowermost sections of tubing 6 to be jetted outwardly from the nozzle apertures Ti. With the outward discharge of motive fluid pressure in an upstream direction into the oil pool standing in the tubing 4', the oil is lifted in the eduction tubing upward through space |44, ports |49 through ball valve 24 to where inlet motive fluid from valve I0 boosts and assists the lifting by the motive fluid emitting from port 1l, to displace the oil upward to the top of the well.

With the oil being displaced through the eduction tubing 4 it will be apparent that the float cylinder |40 will maintain the balanced valve 99 in upward or operative position as long as the cylinder |40 floats. The valve 99 is balanced since it is the same diameter on both sides of main fluid ports I2. tically upward above the bottom end of float cyl- With the oil displaced verinder |40, the supply gas contained therein escapes and the weight of the float cylinder |40 moves the balanced valve 96 downward to a position where the nut abuts the top of valve sleeve 93. In this position the input motive iiuid is then directed through the bore 98 into cylinder |40 where it is by-passed up through the eduction tubing 4 until such time as the formation pressure of the oil raises the liquid level to oat the cylinder |40.

The time interval for operating the automatic intermitting valve to allow passage of motive uid through the ports I2, tubing 6 and nozzle can easily be determined. The size of the tubing 4 and distance between check valve 82 and the lower end of oat cylinder |40 determines the volume of oil to be lifted, and with the size of the oil inlet valves 82 known, it can be ascertained how long it would take the liquid to rise sufficiently to move the float cylinder vertically upward. Furthermore, with the volume of oil to be displaced known, as well as the depth of the well, the pressure of motive fluid necessary to displace this fluid to the surface of the well can easily be determined.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the construction and arrangement of the automatic intermitting unit is simple and eiicient in that the device utilizes the submergence level of the well fluid to provide a stopper for the float cylinder and thus make it capable of having buoyant characteristics by increasing the density of input motive fluid therein and causing an upward movement of the cylinder for actuating the valve to allow input motive fluid to be jetted into the liquid column below the float cylinder. Furthermore, the device is automatic in its operation in that no extraneous time control mechanism is necessary and the time interval for the intermittent operation of the automatic valve unit can be predetermined according to known dimensions. It will be apparent that the device is simple and efficient in its actuation by the elimination of working parts, easily assembled, and synergetic in their relation to one another.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a pressure fluid lifting apparatus comprising an eduction tubing disposed in a well, a valve collar arranged in the tubing, a movable inlet valve arranged therein controlling flow of motive fluid into the eduction tubing, open-ended means arranged in the eduction tubing and movable to sink and float in the liquid being lifted, said means operably cooperating with the valve whereby floating of the means will move the valve to discharge pressure fluid therethrough, and means for jetting the discharged pressure fluid in an upstream direction into the eduction tubing.

2. In a pressure fluid lifting apparatus comprising an eduction tubing disposed in a well, a movable inlet valve arranged in the tubing, a cylinder flexibly connected to said valve, means providing pressure uid communication between the valve and the cylinder, said cylinder responsive to the liquid level and the fluid pressure in the cylinder to provide buoyant characteristics to the cylinder and move the valve whereby pressure fluid is discharged therethrough, and means for jetting the discharged fiuid into the eduction tubing for lifting the liquid.

3. In a pressure fluid lifting apparatus comprising an eduction tubing disposed in a well, a movable inlet valve arranged in the tubing, a cylinder flexibly connected to said valve, means providing pressure fluid communication between the valve and the cylinder, said cylinder responsive to the liquid level and the fluid pressure in the cylinder to provide buoyant characteristics to the cylinder and move the valve whereby pressure fluid is discharged therethrough, means for jetting the discharged fluid into the eduction tubing for lifting the liquid, and means for limiting the movement of the valve.

4. In a pressure uid lifting apparatus comprising an eduction tubing disposed in a Well, a movable inlet valve arranged in the tubing, operating means flexibly connected to said valve, means providing pressure fiuid communication between the valve and the operating means, said operating means responsive to the liquid level and the pressure fluid in the operating means to provide buoyant characteristics to the operating means whereby the valve is moved to allow inlet fluid pressure to be discharged therethrough.

5. In a pressure fluid lifting apparatus comprising an eduction tubing disposed in a well, a movable inlet valve arranged in the tubing, operating means flexibly connected to said valve, means providing inlet pressure fluid communication between the valve and the operating means, said operating means responsive to the liquid level and the pressure uid in the operating means to provide buoyant characteristics to the operating means whereby the valve is moved to allow inlet fluid pressure to be discharged therethrough, and means for jetting the discharged uid into the eduction tubing for lifting the liquid.

6. A pressure fluid lifting apparatus comprising an eduction tubing disposed in a well, a movable inlet valve arranged in the tubing, an openended cylinder exibly connected to said valve, means providing inlet fluid communication between the valve and the cylinder, said cylinder responsive to the liquid level to provide a chamber maintaining inlet uid therein, said motive fluid emitting from the valve into the chamber providing a buoyant effect to the cylinder whereby the valve is moved to discharge fluid pressure therethrough and into the eduction tubing at a point below the liquid level.

7. In an automatic intermitting system for lifting liquid from a well comprising an eduction tubing, a valve disposed in the tubing, motive fluid inlet means communicating with and adapted to extend below the valve, said valve comprising a freely movable shaft having a longitudinal bore therein, a port providing communication between the inlet means and the bore, a cylinder disposed in the tubing, said valve operably cooperating with the cylinder and discharging inlet pressure fluid through the bore thereto, said cylinder responsive to the liquid level to maintain the inlet pressure fluid therein providing a buoyancy to the cylinder to cause movement of the valve upward, means responsive to said upward movement to allow discharging of inlet fluid below the valve, and means for jetting the discharged fluid pressure into the eduction tubing.

8. In an automatic intermitting system for lifting liquid from a well comprising an eduction tubing, a valve disposed in the tubing, motive fluid inlet means communicating with and adapted to extend below the valve, said valve comprising a freely movable shaft having a longitudinal bore therein, a port providing communication between the inlet means and the bore, a cylinder arranged in the tubing, said valve operably cooperating with the cylinder and discharging inlet pressure fluid through the bore thereto, said cylinder responsive to the liquid level to maintain the inlet pressure fluid therein providing a buoyancy to the cylinder to cause movement of the valve upward, means responsive to said upward movement to allow discharging of inlet fluid below the valve, means for jetting the discharged fluid pressure into the eduction tubing, and means for limiting the upward movement of the valve.

9. In an automatic intermitting system for lifting liquid from a well comprising an eduction tubing, a valve disposed in the tubing, motive fluid inlet means communicating with and adapted to extend below the valve, said valve comprising a freely movable shaft having a longitudinal bore therein, a port providing communication between the inlet means and the bore, an open ended cylinder arranged in the tubing, said valve operatively cooperating with the openended cylinder to discharge pressure fluid from the bore to the cylinder, said cylinder responsive to the liquid level to provide a chamber maintaining inlet pressure iiuid therein, said inlet pressure fluid providing a buoyancy to a cylinder for moving the valve upward, means responsive to said upward movement for discharging inlet fluid below the valve.

10. In an automatic intermitting system for lifting liquid from a well comprising an eduction tubing, a valve collar arranged in the tubing, a valve disposed in the collar, motive fluid inlet means communicating with and adapted to extend below the valve, said valve comprising a freely movable shaft cooperating with a cylindrical seat arranged in the collar, a longitudinal bore through the valve and communicating with the inlet means, a pair of diametrically opposed ports in the seat and communicating with the inlet means, a reduced portion in the valve cooperating with the ports to allow passage of inlet fluid therethrough, an open ended cylinder, said bore communicating with the cylinder and flexibly connected to the valve, said cylinder responsive to the liquid level to provide a chamber maintaining inlet fluid therein, said motive uid discharging into the chamber to provide a buoyant effect to the cylinder whereby the reduced portion of the valve is moved into alignment with the ports for discharging inlet motive fluid to the inlet means below the valve, and means for directing the discharged fluid into the eduction tubing.

11. In an automatic intermitting system for lifting liquid from a well comprising an eduction tubing, a Valve collar` arranged in the tubing, a valve disposed in the collar, motive fluid inlet means communicating with and adapted to extend belowY the collar, said valve comprising a freely movable shaft cooperating with a cylindrical seat arranged in the collar, means in the collar providing communication between the inlet means and the seat, a longitudinal bore through the valve and communicating with the last-mentioned means, a pair of diametrically opposed ports in the seat and communicating with the last-mentioned means, a reduced portion in the valve cooperating with the ports to allow passage of inlet fluid therethrough, an open ended cylinder, said bore communicating with the cylinder flexibly connected to the valve, the open end of said cylinder responsive to the liquid level to provide a chamber maintaining inlet fluid therein, said motive fluid discharging into the chamber increasing in pressure to provide a buoyancy to the cylinder whereby the reduced portion of the valve is moved into alignment with the ports for directing inlet motive fluid to the inlet means below the collar, and means for discharging the fluid into the eduction tubing.

12. In a well pumping apparatus, a well bore, an eduction tubing string arranged in the bore for conducting liquid from the well to the top of the latter, a nozzle in the tubing string arranged to direct a pressure motive fluid upwardly, a passageway for conducting pressure motive fluid to said nozzle, a valve controlling the passage of motive fluid through said passageway, a float in the tubing string operatively connected with the valve for controlling the latter, said float being open at its lower end, and a passage-way controlled by said valve for conducting pressure motive fluid from the rst mentioned passageway to the float.

13. In a well pumping apparatus, a well bore, an eduction tubing string arranged in the bore for conducting liquid from the well to the top of the latter, a nozzle in the tubing string arranged to direct a pressure motive fluid upwardly, a passage-way for conducting pressure motive fluid to said nozzle, a Valve controlling the passage of motive iiuid through said passage-way, a float in the tubing string operatively connected with the valve for controlling the latter, said float being open at its lower end, and a passage-way controlled by said valve for conducting pressure motive fluid from the first mentioned passageway to the float, said nozzle being positioned below the float.

14. In a well pumping apparatus, a well bore, an eduction tubing string arranged in the bore and spaced from the wall thereof, means arranged in said space for packing olf the lower portion of the well bore from the portion above the packing means, a nozzle in the tubing string and arranged to direct pressure motive fluid upwardly, a passage-way for conducting the motive fluid from the space above the packing means to said nozzle, a valve controlling the passage of motive fluid through said passage-way, a float in the tubing operatively connected with the valve for controlling the latter, said float having its lower end open, and a second passage-way controlled by said valve and placing the upper portion of the interior of the float in communication with the first passage-way.

WALTER BRAUER. 

